CA2612641A1

CA2612641A1 - Ice turning unit

Info

Publication number: CA2612641A1
Application number: CA002612641A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Yanai Hidekazu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-09-03
Filing date: 2007-09-03
Publication date: 2009-03-03
Also published as: WO2009031193A1

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED To provide an ice turning unit for turning a beautiful spherical ice witho ut burrs, etc. SOLUTION The ice turning unit 10 comprises a shank 11 and cutting blades 12, 13. The shank 11 is made of resins and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The cutting blade 12 comprises a first cutting edge part 38 and a second cutting edge part 39. Th e first cutting edge part 38 is arranged inside the shank 11, and is formed in the shape of a semicircular arc. The second cutting edge parts 39 are joined to the ends of the first cutting edge part 38, respectively, and are exposed from the top portion 27 of the shank 11, respectively. The second cutting edge parts 39 are inclined outwardly in the radial direction of the shank 11, respectively.

Description

SPECIFICATION
Ice turning unit FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001]
This invention relates to structures of an ice turning unit for making a spherical ice piece.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002]
Conventionally, devices for making a spherical ice piece have been known. Fig.
18 schematically illustrates an ice turning procedure by a conventional ice turning device.

[0003]
This ice turning device 1 comprises a pair of turning units 2 that is oppositely arranged, drive parts 3 that drive the turning units 2, and support parts 5 that support material ice 4. As shown in Fig. 18 (a), the material ice 4 is guided between the pair of the turning units 2 so as to be fixed by the support parts 5. As shown in Fig.
18 (b), each of the turning units 2 is brought close to the material ice 4 while being rotated by the drive part 3. Each of the turning units 2 comprises a turning blade 6 formed in a semi-circle. As shown in Fig. 18 (c), by these turning blades 6 contacting the material ice 4, the material ice 4 is cut and a spherical ice piece 7 is shaped.

[0004]
Although, however, the pair of the turning units 2 approaches each other, they are separated from each other just before the turning blades 6 contact each other.
Thus, as shown in Fig. 18 (d), at the time when the turning work by each of the turning units 2 has been completed, the spherical ice piece 7 is still linked to the material ice 4 via flanges 8. The spherical ice piece 7 is struck by, for example, a rubber hammer or the like. This breaks the flanges 8 and the spherical ice piece 7 is removed from the material ice 4.

[0005]
In a case where a spherical ice piece 7 is made in the manner above described, a product spherical ice piece 7 will have what is called burrs. In order for a beautiful spherical ice piece 7 without burrs to be made, additional work for removing the burrs is needed. However, there has been a disadvantage that inclusion of such work in making processes causes a large increase of costs of making the spherical ice piece 7.
In order for this disadvantage to be eliminated, a conventional ice making device that does not generate burrs has been proposed (see Patent Publication 1).

[0006]
This device comprises a pair of ice turning units, which approaches each other to cut the material ice spherically and then is once separated from each other. In this state, the spherical ice piece is still linked to the material ice via flanges as in other conventional devices. Then, the flanges are cut by only one of the ice turning units contacting the material ice once again, thus a perfectly spherical ice piece being made out of the material ice.

[0007]
Some other devices or methods for making a spherical ice piece have also been proposed (see Patent Publications 2-4).

[0008]
[Patent Publication 1] JP2006-46754 A
[Patent Publication 2] JP 10-9734 A
[Patent Publication 31 JP11-51518 A
[Patent Publication 41 JP2001-79767 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED

[0009]
By the way, when a spherical ice piece is cut from the material ice, a lot of ice chips are made. The ice chips are very finely cut ice and in a snow-like state. When the ice chips adhere to the turning blade, there is a problem that the ice chips will stick between the turning blade and the material ice, resulting in a difficult turning work.
In particular, in a case of a larger type of spherical-ice making device provided with a lot of turning blades, efficient operation is difficult unless these ice chips are removed without fail.

[0010]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ice turning unit for continuously and efficiently making beautiful spherical ice pieces without burrs or the like.

MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEM

[0011]
(1) In order for the object to be achieved, the ice turning unit according to this invention is an ice turning unit to be applied to a spherical-ice making device for turning material ice to shape a spherical ice piece, the ice turning unit having a cylindrical shank to be linked to the spherical-ice making device and a cutting blade made of a flat plate provided at a top portion of the shank. The cutting blade is arranged inside the shank along an imaginary cross section that includes the central axis of the shank. The cutting blade comprises a first cutting edge part formed in a curved shape of a semi-circle along a radial direction of the shank with its both end portions exposed from the top of the shank in the axial direction of the shank; and a pair of second cutting edge parts being joined to the ends of the first cutting edge part, respectively, symmetrically extending from inside to outside in the radial direction, respectively, and being inclined toward the rear end of the shank, respectively.

[0012]
When the ice turning unit is pressed against an ice block used as material (material ice), the cutting blade cuts into the material ice. Specifically, while the second cutting edge parts are cutting into the surface of the material ice, the first cutting edge part cuts the surface of the material ice to form a spherical surface. At this time, the end portions of the first cutting edge part and the second cutting edge parts are projecting from the top of the shank in the axial direction by a predetermined distance. That is, the predetermined distance serves as the cutting feed when the second cutting edge parts cut into the material ice. When the ice turning unit cuts the material ice, a lot of ice chips are made. The ice chips are the material ice that is very finely cut. Once these chips stick to the first cutting edge part and the second cutting edge part, it becomes very difficult for the cutting blade to cut the material ice.
According to this invention, however, the first cutting edge part is arranged inside the shank, and the ice chips made by the first cutting edge part cutting the material ice are received inside the cylindrical shank. Moreover, during the cutting work of the material ice, since the shank is being moved in the axial direction, the ice chips are relatively sent backwards in the axial direction of the shank to be discharged. That is, the ice chips made during the cutting work of the material ice are reliably gathered within the shank without being scattered away, and then immediately discharged without sticking to the cutting blade. Accordingly, the material ice is smoothly cut by the cutting blade.

[0013]
By the way, the ice turning unit is applied to a spherical-ice making device for turning the material ice to shape a spherical ice piece, and in such a device, for example, a pair of ice turning units is oppositely arranged. Since the second cutting edge parts are inclined as described above, the surface of the material ice (the face cut into by the second cutting edge parts) is inclined from the front toward the back in the cutting direction. When the material ice is turned by the pair of ice turning units, each of the ice turning units is brought close to the other up to a predetermined position that prevents the cutting blades from contacting each other, and then is separated once.
Thus, a nearly spherical ice piece is shaped from the material ice. However, at this time, a connecting piece which links the material ice and the spherical ice piece is left therebetween. Both faces of this connecting piece are the faces that were cut into by the second cutting edge parts of the ice turning units, respectively. In addition, since these faces are inclined from the front toward the back in the cutting direction, as described above, the connecting piece has a larger connection area on the side of the material ice and a smaller connection area on the side of the nearly spherical ice piece.
That is, the connecting piece has a nearly triangular cross section.

[0014]
In order for the spherical ice piece to be taken out of the material ice, the connecting piece needs to be ruptured. Since the connecting piece has a nearly triangular cross section, when external force is applied to the connecting piece to take out the spherical ice piece (for example, the ice piece is struck by a hammer), the portion of the connecting piece having a smaller cross section is ruptured. That is, the portion connected to the nearly spherical ice piece is ruptured. This leaves no residues (burrs) of the connecting piece on the surface of the spherical ice piece taken out.
Of course, both of the turning un its are once separated from each other first, and then the spherical ice piece is taken out by only one of the separated turning units now contacting the material ice again. At this time, the second cutting edge parts of one of the turning units contact and cut the connecting portion. This allows a spherical ice piece without burrs to be taken out.

[0015]
(2) Preferably the internal diameter of the top portion of the shank is gradually enlarged toward the direction of the top.

[0016]
In this configuration, the inner peripheral surface of the top portion of the shank is inclined with reference to the axial direction and the internal diameter of the top portion is gradually reduced inwardly from the top toward the back of the shank in the axial direction. Thus, there is an advantage that the ice chips are reliably guided into the shank while the material ice is being cut.

[0017]
(3) Preferably the shank comprises slits formed in the axial direction, and the flat plate of the cutting blade is fixed in the slits.

[0018]
In this configuration, mounting structure of the cutting blade is simple. It is also easy to mount the cutting blade to the shank.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0019]
According to the invention, beautiful spherical ice pieces without burrs etc.
are continuously and efficiently made.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING-OUT THE INVENTION

[0020]
The invention will be described in detail hereinafter, with reference to the drawings and based on preferred embodiments.

[0021]
Fig. 1 is a front view of an essential portion of an ice turning unit according to an embodiment of this invention. Fig. 2 is a right side view of an essential portion of the ice turning unit according to an embodiment of this invention, and Fig. 3 is a plan view.

[0022]
The ice turning unit 10 is applied to a spherical-ice making device for turning a block of material ice to make a spherical ice piece. The ice turning unit 10 comprises a shank 11, and cutting blades 12, 13 provided in a top portion of the shank 11.
As more fully described hereinafter, these cutting blades 12, 13 are made of flat plates (typically steel plates). In this embodiment, the ice turning unit 10 is composed for rotation in counterclockwise direction.

[0023]
Fig. 4 is an enlarged front view of an essential portion of the shank 11.

[0024]
The shank 11 is a straight cylindrical member. Rear end portion 14 of the shank 11 is linked to a drive part of the spherical-ice making device. The shank 11 is to be rotated in counterclockwise direction by the drive part. The shank 11 is made of stainless steel in this embodiment. The material of which shank 11 is made is not limited to stainless steel, but other various kinds of metal may be used. For material of which shank 11 is made, polyoxymethylenes (POM), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymers (ABS), nylon resins, polytetrafluoroethylene resins, acetal resins, vinyl chloride resins, polyethylene resins, and/or other resins may be used instead of metal.

[0025]
The external diameter of the shank 11 may be set to, for example, approximately 20 mm to 100 mm. The thickness of the shank 11 may be set to, for example, approximately 2 mm to 10 mm. In this embodiment, the external diameter is set to 70 mm, and the thickness is set to 2 mm.

[0026]
The shank 11 comprises a pair of slits 15, 16. The slit 15 extends straight from the top 17 of the shank 11 toward the rear end thereof in the axial direction. The width "d" of the slits 15, 16 corresponds to the thickness of the cutting blade 12. The slits 15, 16 are formed so that they are joined to the imaginary cross section 18. The imaginary cross section 18 is an imaginary plane that includes the central axis 19 of the shank 11 and that cuts the shank 11 in the axial direction. The slit 15 has a wall surface 20 formed on the same plane as the imaginary cross section 18, a wall surface 21 that faces the wall surface 20, and a bottom surface 22 that connects the wall surface 20 and the wall surface 21. As shown in Fig. 4, the wall surface 21 is arranged in the radial direction on the right side with reference to the wall surface 20, the distance therebetween being "d". The slit 16 has a wall surface 23 formed on the same plane as the imaginary cross section 18, a wall surface 24 that faces the wall surface 23, and a bottom surface 25 that connects the wall surface 23 and the wall surface 24.
As shown in Fig. 4, the wall surface 24 is arranged in the radial direction on the left side with reference to the wall surface 23, the distance therebetween being "d". The slits 15, 16 have the same depth. That is, the wall surface 20 and the wall surface 23 are arranged on the same plane as the imaginary cross section 18 and the wall surface 21 and the wall surface 24 are symmetrically arranged with reference to the imaginary cross section 18 in the radial direction.

[0027]
As shown in Fig. 4, the inner peripheral surface 26 of the top portion 27 of the shank 11 is inclined. In this embodiment, the tilt angle 0 of the inner peripheral surface 26 is 25 degrees with reference to the axial direction of the shank 11 (in the direction of the central axis 19). In other words, the inner diameter of the top portion 27 of the shank 11 is gradually enlarged toward the top, the top portion 27 being formed in the shape of a funnel. Operational advantages of the top portion 27 being formed in the shape of a funnel will be described later in this specification. The tilt angle 0 may suitably be set in the range of 3 degrees to 45 degrees.

[0028]
Fig. 5 is a front view of the cutting blades 12, 13. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the cutting blade 12. Fig. 7 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow VII in Fig. 6.

[0029]
The cutting blade 12 is fixed on the top portion 27 of the shank 11 (See Fig.
1).
The cutting blade 12 comprises a mounting plate part 37, and a first cutting edge part 38 and a second cutting edge part 39. The mounting plate part 37, and the first cutting edge part 38 and the second cutting edge part 39 are integrally formed in one piece.
That is, the cutting blade 12 is a single tabular member and is made of stainless steel (typically SUS304, SUS303) in this embodiment. However, the material of which the cutting blade 12 is made is not limited to this, and other various kinds of metal may be used. In this embodiment, the thickness of the cutting blade 12 is set to 3 mm, but the thickness may be suitably set in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm.

[0030]
The cutting blade 12 comprises a lower end surface 32, an inside surface 33, an outside surface 34, an upper end surface 35, and a curved surface 36 that connects the upper end surface 35 and the inside surface 33.

[0031]
As shown in Fig. 6, the upper end surface 35 is inclined toward the outside surface 34. The tilt angle 0 1 is 10 degrees toward the lower end surface 32 with reference to the horizontal direction N1 (the direction perpendicular to the imaginary cross section 18). However, the tilt angle 0 1 may suitably be set in the range of 1 degree to 60 degrees, and preferably in the range of 5 degrees to 15 degrees.
The upper end surface 35, as shown in Fig. 6, is also inclined toward the viewer (in Fig. 7, toward the left). The tilt angle 0 2 is 30 degrees toward the lower end surface 32 with reference to the horizontal direction N2 which is perpendicular to the horizontal direction N1. However, the tilt angle 0 2 may be suitably set in the range of 1 degree to 60 degrees, and preferably 25 degrees to 35 degrees. The second cutting edge part 39 is thus formed by the upper end surface 35 being inclined in the two directions like this. In other words, the second cutting edge part 39 extends from the inside of shank 11 toward the outside thereof in the radial direction, and is inclined toward the rear end of the shank 11.

[0032]
The curved surface 36 is inclined toward the viewer in Fig. 6 (in Fig. 7, toward the left). The tilt angle 0 3 is 30 degrees toward the lower end surface 32 with reference to the horizontal direction N2. However, the tilt angle 0 3 may be suitably set in the range of 1 degree to 60 degrees, and preferably in the range of 25 degrees to 35 degrees. The first cutting edge part 38 is thus formed by the curved surface 36 being inclined like this. Accordingly, the first cutting edge part 38 is joined to the second cutting edge parts 39. The first cutting edge part 38 is formed in a curved shape of a semi-circle. The radius of curvature of the first cutting edge part 38 is 30 mm. The radius of curvature, however, may be modified suitably.

[0033]
As shown in Fig. 5, inside surface 33 is inclined with reference to the lower end surface 32. The outside surface 34 is perpendicular to the lower end surface 32. In particular, the outside surface 34 is arranged inwardly (to the side of the inside surface 33) than the side surface 31 of the second cutting edge part 39 by a distance "t". The distance "t" is set to approximately 0.1 mm to 3 mm in this embodiment. The side surface 31 of the second cutting edge part 39 may be inwardly (to the side of the inside surface 33) inclined. That is, the side surface 31 may be gradually inclined outwardly with reference to the inside surface 33, in the direction from the lower end surface 32 toward the upper end surface 35.

[0034]
The height of the cutting blade 12 corresponds to the depth of the slit 16 provided in the shank 11. That is, when the cutting blade 12 is fitted in the slit 16, the lower end surface 32 of the cutting blade 12 seats against the wall surface 25 of the slit 16, the second cutting edge part 39 and the end portion of the first cutting edge part 38 being exposed from the top plane 30 of the shank 11. The projection amount "p"
of the second cutting edge part 39 and the first cutting edge part 38 is 8 mm in this embodiment. However, the projection amount "p" may be modified suitably.

[0035]
The cutting blade 13 has the same shape as the cutting blade 12. The cutting blades 12, 13 are mounted to the shank 11 as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. That is, the cutting blade 13 is fitted in the slit 15 of the shank 11, and is arranged in such a way that a portion of the cutting blade 13 overlaps a portion of the cutting blade 12. And the overlapped portions 29 are rigidly secured to each other by welding or other binding means. The height of the cutting blade 13 corresponds to the depth of the slit provided in the shank 11. That is, when the cutting blade 13 is fitted in the slit 15, the lower end surface 32 of the cutting blade 13 seats against the wall surface 22 of the slit 16, the second cutting edge part 39 and the end portion of the first cutting edge part 38 being exposed from the top plane 30 of the shank 11. For the cutting blade 13, as for the cutting blade 12, the projection amount "p" of the second cutting edge part 39 and the first cutting edge part 38 is set to 8 mm in this embodiment. However, the projection amount "p" may be modified suitably.

(0036]
By the cutting blade 12 and the cutting blade 13 being rigidly secured as described above, the first cutting edge part 38 of the cutting blade 12 is joined to the first cutting edge part 38 of cutting blade 13. The two cutting blades integrally form an arc with a radius of 30 mm. In this embodiment, the cutting blade 12 and the cutting blade 13 are made as separate members, respectively, and are rigidly secured by a known binding means. However, they may of course be formed in one piece.
[003']
While the cutting blades 12 and 13 are arranged symmetrically opposed to each other along the radial direction of the shank 11, the cutting blades 12, 13 may be arranged with a minute gap therebetween. The operational advantages of a minute gap being provided will be described later in this specification.
[0038]
Fig. 8 is a plan view of an ice turning unit 60 for rotation in clockwise direction.
Fig. 9 is a front view of cutting blades 63, 64 for rotation in clockwise direction. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the cutting blade 63 for rotation in clockwise direction. Fig. 11 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow XI in Fig. 9.
[0039]
The ice turning unit 60 comprises a shank 61. The shank 61 is made of stainless steel like the shank 11, having almost the same shape as the shank 11. The shank 61 comprises slits 15 and 16 like the shank 11. However, while in the shank 11 the slit 16 is arranged to the left and the slit 15, to the right, of the imaginary cross section 18 (see Fig.3), in the shank 61 the slit 16 is arranged to the right and the slit 15, to the right, of the imaginary cross section 18.
[0040]
Moreover, the cutting blade 63 and the cutting blade 12 (see Fig. 6) are formed in mirror symmetry with each other. Accordingly, the description of the configuration of the cutting blades 63, 64 is omitted. The symmetry plane in this case is the imaginary cross section 18 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4). The cutting blade 64 has the same shape as the cutting blade 63. The cutting blade 63 is fitted in the slit 16 of the shank 61, and the cutting blade 64 is fitted in the slit 15 of the shank 61.
[0041]

Next, how to use the ice turning unit 10 will be described. How to use the ice turning unit 10 is how to make a spherical ice piece by turning the material ice. Fig.
12 through Fig. 16 schematically illustrate the making method of a spherical ice piece.
Fig. 12 illustrates the first step; Fig. 13, the second step; Fig. 14, the third step; Fig. 15, the fourth step; and Fig. 16, the fifth step, respectively.
[0042]
Ice turning units 10 are installed on a spherical-ice making device. On this spherical-ice making device, a pair of the ice turning units 10 is mounted, each of the ice turning units 10 being oppositely arranged to the other as shown in Fig. 12.
At this time, the ice turning unit 10 on the right side is the one composed for rotation in clockwise direction and will be rotated clockwise. On the other hand, the ice turning unit 10 on the left side is the one composed for rotation in counterclockwise direction and will be rotated counterclockwise. However, of course, both of the ice turning units 10 may be either the ones for rotation in clockwise direction or the ones for rotation in counterclockwise direction.
[0043]
As shown in Fig. 12, material ice 50 is arranged between a pair of ice turning units 10 (the first step). The material ice 50 is formed in the shape of a block, and the thickness thereof is set greater than the external diameter of a spherical ice piece to be made. The spherical-ice making device comprises holding frames 51 that hold the material ice 50, and the material ice 50 is sandwiched between the pair of the holding frames 51. Each of the holding frames 51 is provided with a hole 52 that the ice turning unit 10 goes through.
[0044]
As shown in Fig. 13 (a), the pair of the ice turning units 10 approaches each other, while being rotated, respectively. The pair of the ice turning units 10 goes into the holes 52 of the holding frames 51, respectively, and cuts into the material ice 50, respectively. Each of the ice turning units 10 cuts the material ice 50, while approaching the other at the same speed. Then, each of the ice turning units 10 comes close to the other up to a place where a predetermined distance "a" is left therebetween, as shown in Figure 13 (b) (the second step) . In this embodiment, in particular, one of the ice turning units 10 (the ice turning unit arranged on the right-hand side in Figure 13 (b)) cuts the material ice 50 up to the center of the material ice 50 (the position shown by a dash-double-dot line in Figure 13 (b)), and the other ice turning unit 10 (the ice turning unit arranged on the left-hand side in Figure 13 (b)) cuts the material ice 50 up to the place the predetermined distance "a" before the center of the material ice 50.

Although the distance "a" is set to 1 mm in this embodiment, the distance is not limited to it. In short, the distance "a" can be any distance that prevents the ice turning units from contacting each other. Figure 13 (b) is an enlarged view of the ice turning units 10 and the material ice 50.
[0045]
Next, as shown in Fig. 14 (a), one of the ice turning units 10 (the ice turning unit arranged on the right-hand side in Fig. 14 (a)) is separated from the material ice 50 (the third step) . At the time of the second step completed, the material ice 50 has been turned, with a spherical ice piece 53 shaped inside. However, at this point, the material ice 50 and the spherical ice piece 53 are linked by a connecting piece 54. In this embodiment, although only the one of the ice turning units 10 is separated from the material ice 50, both of the ice turning units 10 may be symmetrically separated as shown in Fig. 14 (b). At this time, the ice turning units 10 can be separated as far as the positions as indicated in Fig. 12, respectively.
[0046]
Then, as shown in Fig. 15, the other of the turning units 10 (the ice turning unit arranged on the left-hand side in Fig. 15) moves toward the one of the ice turning units 10 (the ice turning unit arranged on the right-hand side in Fig. 15) to go through the material ice 50. This cuts the connecting piece 54 (see Fig. 14) that has been linking the spherical ice piece 53 to the material ice 50, thus the spherical ice piece 53 being pushed by the other of the turning unit 10 to be discharged outside (the fourth step). Then, as shown in Fig. 16, the other of the ice turning units 10 returns to the original position, and then the material ice 50 is discharged (the fifth step). When spherical ice pieces 53 are made continuously, with the work from the first step through the fifth step defined as one cycle, the work will be repeated.
[0047]
Fig. 17 is an enlarged sectional view of the material ice 50 turned by the ice turning units 10.
[0048]
When the ice turning units 10 are pressed against the material ice 50 as shown in Fig. 13, the cutting blades 12, 13, and (63), (64) cut into the material ice 50.
Specifically, with the second cutting edge parts 39 cutting into the surface of the material ice 50, the first cutting edge parts 38 cut and shape the surface of the material ice 50 into a sphere (see Fig. 5).
[0049]
Since the second cutting edge parts 39 are inclined as described above (see Figs.

and 6), the surface (the face cut into by the second cutting edge parts 39) of the material ice 50 is inclined from the front toward the back in the cutting direction, as shown in Fig. 17. In this embodiment, since the material ice 50 is turned by the pair of the ice turning units 10 oppositely arranged, the faces 55 and 56 of the connecting piece 54 are the faces cut into by the second cutting edge parts 39 of the ice turning units 10, respectively. Moreover, since these faces 55, 56 are inclined from the front toward the back in the cut-into direction, respectively, as described above, the connecting piece 54 has a nearly triangular cross section. Accordingly, the connecting piece 54 has a larger connection area on the side of the material ice and a smaller connection area on the side of the spherical ice piece 53.
[0050]
Accordingly, when the ice turning unit 10 pushes the spherical ice piece 53 (the fourth step), the connecting piece 54 is ruptured. The connecting piece 54, when under external force, is ruptured at the thinner portion thereof. That is, the connecting piece 54 is ruptured at the boundary portion with the material ice 53. This leaves no residuals (that is, burrs) of the connecting piece 54 on the surface of the spherical ice piece 53 taken out. Accordingly, a beautiful spherical ice piece 53 without burrs etc. is made.
[0051]
When the ice turning unit 10 cuts the material ice, a lot of ice chips are made.
The ice chips are the material ice 50 that is very finely cut. Therefore, once these chips stick to the first cutting edge part 38 and the second cutting edge parts 39, it becomes very difficult for the cutting blades 12, 13, (63), (64) to cut the material ice 50.
However, in the ice turning unit 10 according to this embodiment, the first cutting edge part 38 is arranged inside the shank 11, and the ice chips made by the first cutting edge part 38 cutting the material ice 50 are received inside the cylindrical shank 11.
Moreover, during the cutting work of the material ice 50, since the shank 11 is being moved in the axial direction (see Fig. 13), the ice chips are relatively sent backwards (in the direction of the arrow 101 in Fig. 5) in the axial direction of the shank 11 to be discharged. That is, the ice chips made during the cutting work of the material ice 50 are gathered within the shank 11 without being scattered away, and then immediately discharged without sticking to the cutting blades 12, 13, (63), (64).
Accordingly, the material ice 50 is smoothly cut by the cutting blades 12, 13, thus enabling beautiful spherical ice pieces without burrs, etc. to be made continuously and efficiently.
[0052]
Moreover, the inner peripheral surface 26 (see Fig. 1) of the top portion of the shank 11 is inclined as described above, the internal diameter of the top portion of the shank 11 being gradually enlarged toward the top. Accordingly, there is an advantage that the ice chips are reliably guided into the shank 11 while the material ice 50 is being cut.
[0053]
Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the cutting blades 12, 13, (63), (64) are fixed to the shank 11 by being fitted in the slits 15, 16 provided in the shank 11.
That is, the mounting structure of the cutting blades 12, 13, (63), (64) is simple, allowing the costs of making the ice turning unit 10 to be reduced.
[0054]
The minute gap may also be formed between the two cutting blades 12, 13 as mentioned above. With this minute gap provided, there would be no blade for cutting the material ice 50 between the first cutting edge parts 38. This theoretically means that burrs would be made on the spherically-shaped portion of the material ice 50.
Actually, however, since the material ice 50 is a soft material to be turned, the projection 58 will be crushed during the turning work. Accordingly, the projection 58 will not be formed on the spherical ice piece 53 after all.
[0055]
On the other hand, if the minute gap were not formed, the cutting speed at the end portion of the first cutting edge part 38, that is, the rotation center of the cutting blades 12, 13 would be zero. Therefore, theoretically, the end portion of the first cutting edge part 38 could not cut the material ice 50, and thus a beautiful spherical surface would be hard to be formed. In other words, by the minute gap being formed between the first cutting edge parts 38, a beautiful spherical surface will be formed in the material ice 50. In addition, since there will be no blade for cutting the material ice 50 in the portion where the minute gap is formed, the cutting feed speed of the shank 11 may be set at a high speed. Accordingly, fast turning work is possible.
[0056]
Although the shank 11 is made of stainless steel in this embodiment, the shank 11 may be made of resins. In such a case, there will be an advantage that the shank 11 will be able to bite the material ice 50 more smoothly. Meanwhile, since the cutting blades 12, 13, (63), (64) are made of stainless steel, the cutting blades 12, 13, (63), (64) can be made cheaply. Moreover, since the object to be cut is ice, even if the cutting blades 12, 13, (63), (64) are not made of a special alloy etc., good turning work is possible.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0057]
This invention can be applied to a device for making a spherical ice piece and to ice turning units used for the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0058]
Fig. 1 is a front view of an essential portion of an ice turning unit according to an embodiment of this invention.
Fig. 2 is a right side view of an essential portion of the ice turning unit according to an embodiment of this invention.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the ice turning unit according to an embodiment of this invention.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken in the direction of IV-IV in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a front view of the cutting blades of the ice turning unit according to an embodiment of this invention.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the cutting blade of the ice turning unit according to an embodiment of this invention.
Fig. 7 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow VII in Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the ice turning unit for rotation in clockwise direction.
Fig. 9 is a front view of the cutting blades for rotation in clockwise direction.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the cutting blade for rotation in clockwise direction.
Fig. 11 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow X in Fig. 9.
Fig. 12 illustrates the first step of the ice making method according to an embodiment of this invention.
Fig. 13 illustrates the second step of the ice making method according to an embodiment of this invention.
Fig. 14 illustrates the third step of the ice making method according to an embodiment of this invention.
Fig. 15 illustrates the fourth step of the ice making method according to an embodiment of this invention.
Fig. 16 illustrates the fifth step of the ice making method according to an embodiment of this invention.
Fig. 17 is an enlarged sectional view of the material ice turned by the ice turning unit according to an embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 18 schematically illustrates ice turning procedures by a conventional ice turning device.

DESCRIPTION OF NOTATIONS
[0059]
10 -- Ice turning unit 11 =- Shank 12 -- Cutting blade 13 -- Cutting blade 17--Top =- Wall surface 21 =- Wall surface 22 = = Wall surface 23 -- Wall surface 24 -- Wall surface -- Wall surface 26 -- Inner wall =- Top plane 32 -- Lower end surface 33 -- Inside surface 34 -- Outside surface -- Upper end surface 36 -- Curved surface 38 - First cutting edge part 39 -- Second cutting edge part

Claims

16What is claimed is:
1.
An ice turning unit to be applied to a spherical-ice making device for turning material ice to shape a spherical ice piece, the ice turning unit having:
a cylindrical shank to be linked to the spherical-ice making device and a cutting blade made of a flat plate provided at a top portion of the shank, the cutting blade being arranged inside the shank along an imaginary cross section that includes a central axis of the shank, and comprising:
a first cutting edge part formed in a curved shape of a semi-circle along a radial direction of the shank with both end portions of the first cutting edge part exposed from a top of the shank in an axial direction of the shank; and a pair of second cutting edge parts being joined to ends of the first cutting edge part, respectively, symmetrically extending from inside to outside in the radial direction, respectively, and being inclined toward a rear end of the shank, respectively.

2.
The ice turning unit according to claim 1 wherein an internal diameter of the top portion of the shank is gradually enlarged toward a direction of the top.

3.
The ice turning unit according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the shank comprises slits formed in the axial direction and the flat plate of the cutting blade is fixed in the slits.